Sermons on Strain:

Going For The Gold

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 26, 2005

Paul in this text talks about four fundamental truths that we must understand AND apply to our lives if we are going to be successful in our pursuit of Gold.

GOING FOR THE GOLD TEXT: I CORINTHIANS 9:22-10:13 INTRODUCTION Paul in The 7th chapter of I Corinthians begins to address the specific questions that the church in Corinth had asked him, via the letter that was sent to him while he was in Ephesus, This section opens up with the phrase, "Now for ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A New Kind Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 30, 2005

Jesus’ new kind of righteousness is based on: 1. Internals rather than externals. 2. Transformation rather than avoiding transgressions. 3. A relationship rather than rules.

Perhaps you have seen it. It is a bumper sticker which displays the slogan: “Christians Aren’t Perfect, Just Forgiven.” It is a catchy phrase, the only problem is that it misrepresents the Christian life. Is that all we are, “just forgiven”? Is there no more to it than that? Do we, in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Methodist

Oop's! Theres A Fork In The Road!

Contributed by Kenneth Burisek on Feb 5, 2005

Narrow way/Broad way---Comparing two Old Testament men of God Joseph and David who came to the same fork in the road with a decision to make. I use a lot of Country/Western lingo as we are a country style church.

Oops !!! There’s a fork in the road !!! Matthew 7:13-14 * 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: * 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Buffet

Contributed by Jeremy Houck on Feb 12, 2005

When we come to worship we must participate fully not just in the parts we like.

This sermon was adapted from an idea of Larry Brincefi Growing up in a military family I have had to learn how to adjust. When we moved from Texas to California we had to learn how to forget that Bar-B-Que existed and move on to other things. When we moved to New Orleans we had to adjust from ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Narnia: Encounter The Power Series

Contributed by Lin Smalec on Dec 5, 2005

Just as Edmund encounters powers both good and evil in Narnia, we encounter the power of sin and God’s power of love in our own world at Christmas.

Rev. Lin Smalec Salem Church, Waynesboro, PA ENCOUNTER THE POWER Second Sunday of Advent 4 December 2005 Well, folks, this is the week - on Friday, the Narnia movie comes to our local theaters! One question on my mind, and I’m sure many of you are thinking the same thing, is will ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Middle Aged Reason For Hope

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 8, 2005

In this Psalm I examine the Psalm writer’s attitude to the future as he faces old age and how he deals with his enemies. This is during Advent and has a little reflective flavor of the season in it.

December 11, 2005 Psalm 71 What do you think about your future? Maybe you’re one of those people who’s done an overall road map of your life. Maybe in ten years you want to retire, or have your house paid off, or have enough money saved up to buy a car, or get married and have children. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:1-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Narnia: Merry Easter (And Happy Christmas)

Contributed by Todd Anderson on Dec 8, 2005

A Christmas Eve or Christmas Day sermon or homily using an extended illustration from "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" to show how many miss(ed) Christ’s first coming and how we need to be ready for his Second Coming in power.

Title: Merry Easter! (a Christmas eve or Christmas day homily) While bagging groceries years ago in a supermarket during highschool I found it fun to mess with customers minds and say things like: “Have a Day! And hear them automatically respond: “You Too!” It was especially fun around the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Narnia: Aslan's Roar/Aslan's Purr Series

Contributed by Dwight Hires on Dec 12, 2005

Message using the Narnia theme as a hook for a salvation message.

Aslan’s Roar/Aslan’s Purr Selected Texts HOT TOPICS: NARNIA December 18, 2005 Don’t hesitate to contact me at lacenterchurch@yahoo.com Disney just released a movie they have bet $100 million on becoming a great hit. “Narnia” is based on C.S. Lewis’ children’s tale, The Lion, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Presenting Hands: Taking, Working, Giving Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 15, 2001

Follow the hands of Jacob, as they are involved in taking (because of his insecurity), in working for that which does not satisfy, but finally, in giving, as a result of their having wrestled with God. An appeal to struggle with God’s will.

Last week I began by giving you an eye test and an ear test. I wanted to help you discover that sometimes we don’t see what there is to see and we don’t hear what there is to hear. But God provides us vision and offers His word to help us with the “too much” in our world. Today I want to examine ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

All These Things Are Against Me

Contributed by Charles Holt on Aug 8, 2001

This message focuses on Jacob’s complaint as seen in the title. We learn, as he learned, it was not so. Brief mention is made of Paul’s triumph over his difficulties. There are lessons and applications for our daily Christian walk.

Charles W. Holt email: cholt@gt.rr.com ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST ME By Charles W. Holt But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; (Phil. 1:12) And Jacob their father said unto them, Me ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:36

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Are You Thankful Enough To Be A Servant?

Contributed by Dave Preece on Nov 22, 2006

I shared this sermon a couple of Sundays before Thanksgiving, on the day of a church Thanksgiving dinner.

Are You Thankful Enough . . . To Be A Servant Romans 1:14 NKJV, NLT Philippians 2:5-8 KJV, NIV I always like to open up with something funny. So here it goes. Some of you have probably heard the original version of this joke ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:14

Denomination: Church Of God

Safe And Sound In A Dangerous World

Contributed by T. Michael Crews on Dec 2, 2006

An Exposition of 1 Sam. 19

Safe and Sound in a Dangerous World 2-20-2005 1 Sam. 19 Most young children can tell you that the most dangerous place in the world is in your own home, in your own bed sometime after dad has turned off the light and you are all alone in your room in the dark. That is when the monsters come out. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus The Light Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Dec 2, 2006

Part 1 of 5-part series, Jesus in Isaiah. 1) Light was predicted; 2) Light arrived; 3) Light came surrounded by darkness; and 4) We have a role today in bringing light to the world.

Jesus the Light Jesus in Isaiah Isaiah 9:1-7 December 3, 2006 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers Last week we concluded our series on Emotions in the Psalms. I hope that brief series was enough to get you interested in reading the Psalms. Psalms may be more about you than any other book in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Free Methodist

"We're #1!"

Contributed by Tony Searles on Nov 24, 2006

The message explores the idea of being the best and the greatest. However, in the Kingdom of God, that is defined in ways that this world cannot understand. In fact, that should not even be our goal...serving Christ with our all is the priority.

Stand & Read - Luke 22:24-30 “And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. [25] And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ’Benefactors.’ [26] "But not so with you, but let ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-30

Denomination: Other

Preparing For Christmas

Contributed by T. Michael Crews on Nov 27, 2006

A Topical Sermon describing 3 Ways to prepare your heart to celebrate Christmas.

How to Prepare for Christmas Isa. 40:3, various Scripture An elderly widow decided it was too much trouble to get all of her kids and grandkids Christmas presents, so she decided to send them a check with a card. A few days after she mailed all the cards, she discovered she forgot to include the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:3

Denomination: Baptist